Kerkorian testifies in L.A. wiretap case

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian says he doesn't know if celebrity private investigator Anthony Pellicano illegally wiretapped his ex-wife.

Kerkorian, 91, appeared Wednesday at Pellicano's trial, where he and Kerkorian confidante, attorney Terry Christensen, are facing criminal charges for allegedly wiretapping Kerkorian's former wife six years ago during a bitter child custody battle, The Los Angeles Times reported.

In a rare public appearance by the high-powered investor, Kerkorian testified as a defense witness for his longtime attorney Christensen. Prosecutors say Christensen hired Pellicano to wiretap Lisa Bonder Kerkorian after she asked Kerkorian for $320,000 a month in child support. But Christensen says Pellicano could have altered the more than six hours of phone conversations he recorded between them, the Times reported.

On the stand, Kerkorian said he said he knew nothing about Bonder Kerkorian being wiretapped, the newspaper reported. He called Christensen, whom Kerkorian has known 35 years, an "honest" and "true" friend.